San Diego Nightlife, Restaurants & Bars

When the sun goes down, the natives get restless. Many head for their nearest watering hole, while the more sophisticated leave their beachwear behind, freshen up and slip into something slinky, stylish and fashionable. They head to the best nightclubs and start moving to the rhythm of the music. In addition to these recommendations, our many casinos offer the best in top name entertainment, as does Humphreys by the Bay and Coors Amphitheater.

San Diego’s historical Gaslamp Quarter is a 16-block area between Fourth and Sixth avenues and Broadway and the waterfront. It’s filled with popular nightclubs, galleries, shops and restaurants. During the day it’s a great place to dine and shop and when the sun goes down it’s the place for bar hopping and dancing.

The Bitter End, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and F Street, Gaslamp Quarter (619-338-9300). Age: 21+. Cover charge: ($10) beginning at 9:30 p.m. Enjoy 25 different martinis at this very popular cocktail lounge. It has a high-energy dance club called The Underground, a stage for live entertainment and the Onyx bar.

The Field, 544 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-232-9840). Age: 21+. This is a 100 percent Irish pub in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter. Even the bartenders and waiters are authentic Irish! Fun, lively pub atmosphere.

Gaslamp Tavern, 868 Fifth Ave., at the corner of Fifth Avenue and E Street, Gaslamp Quarter (619-239-3339). Age: 21+. This is a great place to meet to enjoy a cocktail, cold beer and tasty tavern-style food. It has a casual atmosphere and eleven high definition plasma TVs featuring sporting events. Sidewalk patio seating.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave., Downtown (619-299-2583). Age: 21+. Open 11 a.m.–midnight. This renowned company’s ninth club features a multi-level music hall. Live national and local performers. Dance floor, bar, café and restaurant.

Onyx/Thin, 852 Fifth Ave., Gaslamp Quarter (619-235-6699). Age: 21+. Thin is the modern and sleek upstairs bar/ lounge with downtempo. Onyx is its sister club located underground. It has a cocktail lounge and dance hall, live music and DJs on weekends.

Shakespeare Pub & Grille, 3701 India St., Middletown (619-299-0230). This authentic British pub and restaurant is a local favorite. It’s a great place for a filling meal with friends.

Yard House Restaurant & Bar, 1023 Fourth Ave., Downtown (619-233-9273). Age: 21+. No cover charge. The Yard House is famous for its distinctive oval-shaped bar featuring over 100 beers on tap. It’s noisy, trendy and fun and perfect for groups. Dance club downstairs featuring hiphop and top 40.

Mission Bay & Pacific Beach Nightlife

Fred’s Mexican Cafe, 1165 Garnet Ave., Pacific Beach (858-483-8226). Age 21+. Open 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m. daily. Enjoy cold margaritas and a large tequila selection at this popular restaurant and bar. Sidewalk patio. They also have locations in the Gaslamp Quarter at 527 Fifth Ave. (619-232-8226) and Old Town at 2470 San Diego Ave. (619-858-8226).

Miller’s Field, 4465 Mission Blvd., Pacific Beach (858-483-4143). Open Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.; Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-2 a.m. ($5.95-$16.95). This is the best place to watch your favorite sporting event in Pacific Beach. With two huge bars, a rooftop deck with amazing ocean views and more than 25 high definition TVs, this place is absolutely packed on game days. The friendly atmosphere, excellent food and great sports coverage make Miller’s Field the place to go for game day. Upstairs patio and bar available for special events.

94th Aero Squadron, 8885 Balboa Ave., San Diego (858-560-6771). Age: 21+. Call for event info, they also have a great piano lounge.

Albie’s Beef Inn, 1201 Hotel Circle So., Mission Valley (619-291-1103). 45 year legend draws diners for their great food and popular piano bar. Live entertainment in the piano bar Tues.-Sat. starting at 6:30 p.m. They also have a great happy hour Mon.-Fri., 3:30 p.m.-7 p.m. with double well drinks and complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

In Cahoots, 5373 Mission Center Rd., Mission Valley (619-291-8635). Age: 21+. Line dance at San Diego’s number one home of country music. Free country dance lessons five nights a week.

Coyote Bar & Grill, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr. in the Village Faire Shopping Center (760-729-4695). Age: 30+. Open daily from 11 a.m., bar is open until 12:30 a.m. Sun.–Thurs. and till 2 a.m. Fri. and Sat. Listen to live music while you dance under the stars. Fire pits on the patio and entertainment nightly. Extensive tequila list.

Dancing The Alley, 421 Grand Ave., Carlsbad (760-434-1173). This small dance joint only serves beer, wine and liquor. Karaoke Tue.–Wed. Live top 40 and pop music Thurs.–Sat. from 9 p.m.

Dini’s Bistro By the Sea, 3290 Carlsbad Blvd. Carlsbad (760-434-6000). In addition to being a great place to dine, Dini’s is definitely one of the liveliest and most popular cocktail lounges in all of North County. And if you’re a sports fan that enjoys camaraderie, pretty girls and lots laughter, this is the place.

Tom Giblin’s, 640-A Grand Ave., Carlsbad (760-729-7234). You’ll get into the spirit of the Old Sod at this an authentic Irish pub. They have 12 premium draft beers and a range of Scottish and Irish whiskeys.

Chula Vista & South Bay Nightlife

La Bella Cafe & Games 373 Third Ave. (619-426-8830) is the most popular pizza restaurant in Chula Vista. Boasting 55 years in business, they truly have it all including a huge games parlour. Yet, the games are just the latest attraction to go along with entertaining the hundreds of families who dine here everyday.Their game parlor, which is celebrating four years of success now brings lots of happy diners back again and again. It’s filled with every game you can imagine including X-Box games, pinball machines, pool tables, dart boards and more.

Barry Berndes’ 49th Annual San Diegan

We’re the #1 City Guide with personally researched & reviewed content based on the print version of Barry Berndes’ SAN DIEGAN, who appears on the cover of all of his books dining in great restaurants. Since 1969, Barry has been engaged in writing the “Honest Guide” to San Diego, by reviewing every aspect of his hometown including dining in 1,000’s of restaurants. He goes unannounced, paying for his own meals and inspecting the kitchens of each restaurant he reviews. This is your assurance that you will receive the same experience he enjoyed. With over 5 million copies in print, he has gained international recognition with numerous on air interviews and numerous articles written about him. As a result, 6.8 million locals, newcomers and visitors actively follow his recommendations annually online and in print, and so should you.